Togo Importers Seek Trade Regulation Reforms, Tax Dialogue

Fabric importers in Togo are calling for better regulation of their sector. Members of the Association for the Protection of HiTarget and Similar Cloth Trade, APCPHPS, made the request on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Lomé during a meeting with the Togo Chamber of Commerce and Industry, CCI-Togo. According to the association, traders face several challenges, including what they describe as unfair competition, disputes over tax inspections and difficulty securing retail space. The association says these constraints are affecting business and require government intervention. APCPHPS is calling for stronger dialogue between tax authorities and businesses as part of efforts to improve regulation of the sector. It is also seeking rules that would ensure fairer competition among traders. CCI-Togo said it was ready to work with industry participants to address the problems. The chamber plans to organize sector-specific forums focused on the concerns raised by traders. The meetings are expected to bring together industry participants to assess conditions in the sector, share practical experiences and identify possible solutions. A Historically Important Trade The fabric trade has long been an important part of Togo’s trading economy. It is closely associated with the history of the “Nana-Benz,” prominent businesswomen who played a major role in the development of Lomé’s fabric trade and built commercial networks across several West African countries. Until the 1990s, the Nana-Benz hel